Members of parliament from the ruling AK Party (AKP) and the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) scuffle during a debate on a draft law which will give the government tighter control over the appointment of judges and prosecutors.

Reuters

Politicians have suffered a blood nose and a broken finger in violent scuffles in Turkey's national parliament.

The punch-up happened during a heated debate over a controversial bill which gives the government more control of the judiciary.

Fighting erupted with fists flying in the air between ruling party and opposition lawmakers as the bill was debated in a marathon 20-hour sitting.

The bill gives the government more influence over the appointment of judges and prosecutors, which is significant in light of the feud between prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his rival, a US-based cleric called Fethullah Gulen.